Kaiser Friedrich III, his spouse Victoria and their family, Part II

[AGRBear]

After entering the front door of the castle, you turn to your left and this is the view of the room you will see.

And,  this is my first attempt of adding a photo to this forum.


AGRBear

[sushismom]

Thanks to everyone for the marvelous pictures! They bring to life what I've only read in books.

[jfkhaos]

Since this is a historical house, are there any of the Empress' personal rooms that were conserved, such as her bedroom?

[grandduchessella]

You can apparently take a tour through the hotel so it seems to indicate that at least some of the rooms are preserved. Many of the public rooms still contain many of EF's antiques, books and artwork (many done by herself).

[Eurohistory]

I have stayed at Kronberg several times.  I last visited this past June and I highly recommend the experience.

High tea in the Empress' library is a wonderful thing to do...walking through the halls and admiring the portraits is an even better experience.  Certaily well worth the visit.

Arturo Beéche

[HerrKaiser]

Empress Frederick felt that Alice and her children were in need of her assistance in many ways. I think Vicky, on rare occasion, felt somewhat put-out by this, but all in all was very generous with money and emotional support. Vicky gave great effort to seeing that her children and their cousins had a good relationship and were together frequently. In so doing, Vicky was attentive and "Motherly" to Alice's children. Queen Victoria had a special spot in her heart of Alix, so this may, repeat may, have caused Vicky some level of jealous distance, but no such evidence exists, I believe.

[HerrKaiser]

I also have had the opportunity to stay at Kronberg. Fabulous place and full of history. The Kaiser's bedroom in essentially in tact and original form (Vicky had a special room for him when he visited). One of the best dining experiences in all of Europe! Some histories imply Vicky built the castle in English style to remind her of "home". But, this is not the case. The architecture is mostly German with some aspects of English country estates. Since the wars, much German art, design, architecture, etc., has been categorized as English, but in fact style of Kronberg is classic German.

[Eurohistory]

Some of the funds used to build Friedrichshof came from an inheritance left to the Empress Friedrich by a very rich friend, the Dowager Duchess of Galliera, who also left considerable property to the descendants of Infanta Eulalia of Spain.

Arturo Beéche

[AGRBear]

Reading the various definitions of porphyia,  I saw any number of symtoms which could related to other mental problems.  Let me ask, again,  what symtoms did Empress Frederick have which makes some of you think that she suffered from porphyria.

AGRBear

[Karentje]

Hello AGRBear

I can't help you with this, since I don't believe Vicky had porphyria, but like you I am also curious why others do believe it. Since I am no expert on the Empress's health, and therefore may be mistaken in my convictions, I am very interested in learning more.
If anyone knows more about Vicky's alleged porphyria, please share your knowledge!

Karentje

[AGRBear]

For those of us who are all out of cash after buying other books suggested on the various threads,  can you give us just a brief sketch of Empress Frederick's mental state which makes some of you think she had porphyria?

AGRBear

[Eurohistory]

At Friedrichshof and Burg Hohenzollern the visitor can see, ney admire, some of the wonderful paintings authored by the Empress Friedrich of her immediate family...she was sooo talented.

Arturo Beéche

[HerrKaiser]

Yes, Vicky was a very talented painter, sketcher, and water colorist. My favorite is her piece depicting the misery of the crimean war. It is stunning in its emotion, compassion, and realism. Was she ever professionally schooled in the fine arts?

[grandduchessella]

I don't think she was ever as professionally trained as her sister Louise who as an adult worked with noted artists of the day. However, both QV and PA enjoyed the arts and possessed a good level of talent. They instilled this in their children and it was fostered through various tutors. All of the children (save maybe Edward VII who nonetheless possessed a good eye for design and arrangement) had some level of talent in one art form or the other--painting, sculpture, music.

Charlotte (Charly)


Victoria (Moretta):


Waldemar (Waldy):


Margaret (Mossy):

[PrinceEddy1864]

I wonder if there was ever a similar painting done of Sophie. All of Vicky's other younger children are depicted. I have never seen one of Sophie though.